A Sign

Helaman Chapter 2

7 And it came to pass that he met Kishkumen, and he gave unto him a sign; therefore Kishkumen made known unto him the object of his desire, desiring that he would conduct him to the judgment-seat that he might murder Helaman.

8 And when the servant of Helaman had known all the heart of Kishkumen, and how that it was his object to murder, and also that it was the object of all those who belonged to his band to murder, and to rob, and to gain power, (and this was their secret plan, and their combination) the servant of Helaman said unto Kishkumen: Let us go forth unto the judgment-seat.

9 Now this did please Kishkumen exceedingly, for he did suppose that he should accomplish his design; but behold, the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan. And he ran and told Helaman all the things which he had seen, and heard, and done.

This sign, the object of a secret plan or heart of Kishkumen's combination for death, evil or damnation; is complete opposite to the sacred purpose of the heart of a saint holding a sign at the temple veil or altar to receive life, righteousness and exaltation.

The Stripling Warriors frightened the Lamanites loinless, Alma 56:52-56; Captain Moroni was inspired with such a marching force of 2000 faithful and fearless Ammonites, “his sons” he called them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKyLYIpZbEY&sns=em

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCvV378s-ig&sns=em

Indexing

Indexing led me to the 1928 Warm Springs Census, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs located in Oregon.  Their website:

The Warm Springs bands who lived along the Columbia’s tributaries spoke Sahaptin. Unlike the Wascoes, the Warm Springs bands moved between winter and summer villages, and depended more on game, roots and berries. However, salmon was also an important staple for the Warm Springs bands and, like the Wascoes, they built elaborate scaffolding over waterfalls which allowed them to harvest fish with long-handled dip nets. Contact between the Warm Springs bands and the Wascoes was frequent, and, although they spoke different languages and observed different customs, they could converse and traded heavily.

Indexing expands your knowledge- I would have never even thought of these people.  I obtained additional information from the Travel Oregon website.  I am seeking from them culinary (expand my taste for salmon), and culture information, that seems so colorful.

A Description

The geographical description from Mormon is quite detailed- given his military background (Alma 22).  I like this view, http://bom.byu.edu/:

I like his descriptive phrases:  regions round about, strip of wilderness, narrow strip, sea east, sea west, borders by the seashore, head of the river Sidon, land on the southward, small neck of land, land southward, land northward, and hemmed in. 

In verse 34, he demonstrates his military mind, “that they might have a country whither they might flee, according to their desires”.  We need to know are personal surroundings, all the details- like a spiritual map, a spiritual plan to navigate through life’s spiritual community, journey, and intense battles. And too (Alma 24:17) bury our personal weaknesses (weapons) “did bury them up deep in the earth”; better prepared.  David A. Bednar said: “it is not merely about temporal tactics but about facing spiritual battles. Learn the intent of the enemy. Study as a disciple of Christ with the focus of coming to battle against Lucifer and his legions”.

From What

9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.
Alma 5:
The Book Of Mormon

Question:

From what bondage was Alma telling us we were to be delivered from?

Answer:

Deliverance from the bondage of sin and evil.

This imagery in verse 9 really displays the relief from sin, as bands and chains being loosed and broken- thus, "souls did expand", and "redeeming love" sung. Hence, "saved".

Safety, courage, peace, love, power, direction, hope, and belief become byproducts of Christ's redemptive power.

This feeling is "never enough"!

Never Enough

50

In Alma’s discourse, Alma chapter 5;  50 rhetorical questions are identified.  Categorize them as you read them. Interestingly, the number fifty symbolizes bondage and deliverance.

Markers

One can read through the Book of Mormon quickly- Parley P. Pratt read it and could not sleep.  Each time I read it, it takes me longer now. I absorb more each time I read it. Like no other book. It is divine in nature, fully inspirational. Verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book multiple historical markers appear and present themselves. We just need to pull over, and let, like dad or uncle, read the marker, and enjoy the view!

I’ll bring up the Alma chapter 5 marker next.